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TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 2021 Baumgartner sends Austria into last 16 Wijnaldum double as Dutch complete perfect Euro 2020 group phase

BUCHAREST/: Christoph the completed a perfect group stage at Baumgartner’s first-half goal sent Austria through to Euro 2020 by comfortably beating the last 16 of Euro 2020 yesterday after a 1-0 win 3-0 in Amsterdam yesterday. The Dutch captain, who over Ukraine that left their opponents facing an anx- signed for Paris Saint-Germain from Liverpool just ious wait to see if they qualify. Hoffenheim before the tournament began, scored twice in the Baumgartner turned in ’s corner on 21 second half at the Arena after Memphis minutes in as Austria pipped Ukraine to Depay had put them in front. second place in Group C behind the Netherlands. Depay, fresh from sealing a transfer of his own to Austria will play Italy at Wembley on June 26 , could claim assists for both of after advancing from the group stage at a major Wijnaldum’s goals as ’s side made it tournament for the first time since the 1982 World nine points out of nine in Group C. They had already Cup. Ukraine, eliminated in the group stage at the secured qualification for the last 16 as group winners past two European Championships, must wait to after defeating Ukraine and Austria in front of their find out if they advance as one of four best third- own fans at the home of Ajax, and so the 1988 placed teams. European champions knew they were heading for a had ruled out his Ukraine knockout tie in next weekend. team playing for the draw they needed to finish as North Macedonia, meanwhile, were already out runners-up, having snapped a run of six straight after losing their first two games in their debut losses at the competition with their 2-1 win over appearance at a major tournament. They leave with- North Macedonia. Austria coach out a point, but they will never forget this campaign recalled Marko Arnautovic after the forward missed and this game will be best remembered as the last of the 2-0 defeat by the Netherlands while serving a veteran 37-year-old striker ’s interna- one-match ban for insulting a North Macedonia tional career after two decades. player in their opening game. He was gifted a Dutch shirt with the number 122 - Needing victory to be assured of a place in the the number of caps he has won - before kick-off, and next round, Austria went ahead as Baumgartner beat was given a guard of honour by his team-mates as 18-year-old defender Illia Zabarnyi to Alaba’s corner well as an ovation from the home fans on being AMSTERDAM: North Macedonia’s forward Goran Pandev (left) and Netherlands’ defender vie and poked beyond Georgiy Bushchan. Ukraine came replaced midway through the second half. But the for the ball during the UEFA Euro 2020 Group C match at yesterday. — AFP close to an equalizer when drew North Macedonians couldn’t sign off on a high, with a good low save from , the rebound Pandev setting up for a shot Weghorst and as the only two on to a quarter-final in distant . just eluding a lunging , who had off the post when the game was still goalless. changes made to the Dutch line-up by De Boer. He After Depay’s opener, Denzel Dumfries came scored in the first two group games. They also had two goals disallowed for offside stuck with his much criticized 3-5-2 formation - close to making it 2-0 before they ran away with the Baumgartner’s evening ended prematurely due and felt that the Netherlands’ opener in the 24th before tweaking it in the second half - but was reluc- game early in the second half. had a to injury and his replacement Alessandro Schopf minute should not have stood. Pandev felt he was tant to rest too many players with six days after this header cleared off the line prior to Depay squaring soon set up Arnautovic, the former Stoke man fouled on the edge of the Dutch box by until their next match. for Wijnaldum to make it 2-0 six minutes into the dribbling wide moments after ’s but the Romanian referee allowed play to go on and Wearing their black change kit, the Netherlands second period. Another delightful move brought the curling effort was punched away by Bushchan. the home side broke forward. Depay exchanged had VIP support in the shape of Prime Minister third goal just before the hour as Malen’s pass found Austria nearly handed Ukraine a way back into the passes with before finishing and the Mark Rutte, who watched the game alongside his Depay whose shot was saved by match when headed Viktor goal stood following a VAR check. North Macedonian counterpart Zoran Zaev. And, only for Wijnaldum to convert the follow-up for his Tsygankov’s free-kick towards his own goal, but despite the cold and damp conditions, the evening third of the tournament. Weghorst then hit the bar Bachmann reacted well to preserve the victory and Relaxed send-off had the air of a relaxed send-off for the Dutch within moments of appearing off the bench and the a spot in the knockout phase. PSV forward Malen and Ajax midfield side, who will not play any more games in Netherlands look in good shape, albeit with tougher Meanwhile, scored twice as prodigy came in for Wout Amsterdam - victory in the last 16 will send them tests lying ahead. — AFP